Persistence pays off as NJ city officials allow public nativity scene

Persistence pays off as NJ city officials allow public nativity scene

Officials in Teaneck, New Jersey, have agreed to allow a nativity scene to be publicly displayed, after decades of denials.

Two years ago, Teaneck resident Hector Ferrer submitted an application to the city council requesting that a nativity scene be included with other public decorations. The request was rejected on the grounds that the nativity scene would be too emotional. But last year Ferrer approached the council again, and his request was approved. However, after receiving the display, city officials put the nativity scene behind a large bush where it could not be seen.

Mat Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, says persistence pays off. "Something like this happens, where Christmas is censored, the result will be that it will continue to be censored unless we speak up," he argues. Staver urges Christians to take an active stand in support of Christmas, and not allow a small minority of people to secularize the celebration.

"I think the majority of Americans enjoy and love the celebration of Christmas, but they also realize that we and others can no longer take Christmas for granted," says the attorney. "I think the war against Christmas is symbolic of the struggle of freedom -- freedom is not cheap, and it can never be taken for granted."

As for the Teaneck nativity, this year it has been prominently displayed and well lit. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the government can display a nativity scene on public property, along with other secular symbols. The court says that refusing to display a nativity scene while allowing other secular symbols might be viewed as hostility against religion, which is forbidden by the Constitution.